Feel the immensity of the nature. Trek through rugged mountain sceneries, rushing rivers, lush forests and along alpine lakes. Climb mountain passes and enjoy the beautiful views. Encounter the remains of a forgotten monastery. Pass by herds of cows, yaks, horses, camels and flocks of sheep and goats. Visit some herders' families on the way, experience their hospitality and get a glimpse of the traditional way of living of remote families.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Upon arrival at the airport we will be welcomed by our guide. He will bring us to our comfortable, centrally located hotel. In the afternoon we will stroll around Ulaanbaatar. We will visit the Natural and the Historical Museums. We will stop at the Gandantegchinlen Monastery. It is the largest and most important monastery of Mongolia. We will scroll through the different monasteries and see the magnificent statue of Migjid Janraisig, an 82-food high statue gilded in gold and covered with silk cloths. We will have dinner at a local restaurant. Inlcudes: (L), (D).

Day 2: In the morning we leave for Khustai Nuruu National Park located about 100 km southwest from Ulaanbaatar. It was established in 1993 and protects today the Takhi, the Mongolian's wild horses, also known as the Przewalski horses. After lunch we will hike in the area and see the wild horses. Overnight in a tented camp. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 3: After breakfast we will head for Kharkhorin (also called Karakorum), site of the 13th century capital of the Mongolian Empire created by Chinggis Khaan. Very little is left from this legendary city. In the 16th century, Mongolia's biggest Monastery was build from the ruins of Kharkhorin. Now Erdene Zuu Monastery are the remains of what once was a huge monastery of 100 temples and about 1.000 lamas residencing there. We will explore the grounds of Erdene Zuu Monastery surrounded by its massive 400 m X 400 m walls. We will be guided around the 3 remaining temples: Dalai Lama, Zuu of Buddha and Lavrin Temple. We will also see the Turtle Rock and the Phallic Rock. Overnight in a tented camp along the Orkhon River. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 4: We will leave Kharkhorin behind us and head westwards through the fertile open valleys of central Mongolia. We will pass by a large number of nomad families living peacefully with their herds of animals. At the end of the afternoon we will reach Tsenkher hot spring resort. Managed by Japanese this resort has a large open-air pool at its customer's disposal. The hot water of the pool flows continuously in from the hot water spring. At the spring, the temperature of the water is over 80°C. A complex pipelines system regulates the water temperature. Some will spend hours sitting in the pool talking to their friends while staring at the stars or scanning the nightly nature around them. We will overnight in the gers (Mongolian traditional tents) camp of the resort. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Days 5 - 9: Today we will pack our horses, leave our vehicles behind and depart for a five-day trek in the mountainous area of the Khangai. Our trek will lead us from the open valleys of Central Mongolia, the cradle of the Mongolian civilization, to the green, with forest covered mountainous area. The Khangai is lush, providing sufficient snowmelt to the valleys to make livestock rising and human existence a viable reality. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 10: After breakfast we will drive to Bayankhongor, capital city of Bayankhongor province. This little remote village of 23.000 people has not much more to offer than a little museum and its food market. We will have a stop here to stock up food after what we will go on driving westwards. In the evening we will reach Baidrag River where we will spend the night. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 11: Today we will drive more westwards. We will pass Altai, capital city of Gov-Altai province. Altai is a pleasant little village of 18.000 people. Passed Altai we will reach Baarangiin pass. From her we will have a great view over the southern part of the Great Lake Depreciation. The Great lake depression is a semi-arid desert region that stretches out from Khovd to Uvs aimag over about 40.000 square kilometres. South-westwards the depression is delimited by the Altai Mountain Range. In spring, melting snow from the Altai Mountain ends up in the depression's lakes. Being deprived of outlets to the sea, those salt lakes become giant evaporating points. Because of its geographical location, Gov-Altai is one of the least suitable areas for raising livestock, making it one of the most hostile to human habitation. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 12: This morning we will get up early for our longest driving day. We will drive some 450 kilometres more westwards through the semi arid desert region. In the evening we will reach Tekh Gurvantsenkher Cave. In the cave we will see some wall painting dated from 15.000 years ago. We will set up our camp next to the river that flows close to the cave. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 13: Today we will drive northwestwards to Khar Us Lake. We will pass Khovd, capital city of Khovd province. Khovd, this multi ethnical village of 35.000 inhabitants is the major industrial centre of Western Mongolia; Khar Us Lake is one of the large lakes of the Great Lakes Depressions. Fresh water from the Altai Mountain chain flows into Khar Us Lake before leaving for another lake. From lake to lake, the water ends up in the Nuagas Salt Lake before it evaporates. We will set up our camp along the shore of the lake, we will swim and do some birth watching. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 14: After breakfast we will take our vehicles and head northwards. We will drive on the western side of the Great Lake Depression leaving the Altai mountainous region at our left side. At the end of the afternoon we will reach Ulaangom, capital city of Uvs province. In Ulaangom we will pay a visit to what is left over of the Dechinravjaalin Monastery and we will go to the local market to shop for food. We will overnight in a local hotel in the city. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 15: Today will have a day rest. We will drive one and a half hour out of town to the Kharkhiraa Mountain. This mountain with its peak of over 4.000 meters is Mongolia's 3rd highest mountain. We will set up our camp and enjoy the surrounding landscape. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 16: This morning we will lead our camels and leave our vehicles behind for a ten-day trek. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 20: More trekking. In the evening we will put up our tented camp for the night. We will visit some nomad families and experience their hospitality. Those who want will have the opportunity to try the "airag" or fermented horse milk. We will be offered a typical Mongolian barbecue that will be prepared by nomads. Our guide - translator will help us to forge contact with the local population. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 21: Today we will hike around Tsagaan Deglii, a with snow covered mountain peak. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Price Includes:
- Transport within Mongolia (Russian jeep or 4 wheel drive mini-van, local flight)
- Transfer between the airport and the hotel
- Half pension in Ulaanbaatar
- Full pension in the countryside
- Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
- Tents in the countryside
- All support staff including driver
- Translator
- Camp assistants
- All excursions
- Entrance fees as described in the itinerary.

M10055 invites you to discover the natural and cultural wonders of Mongolia, one of the last remaining seldom-explored countries. The traveler will discover this untouched country and marvel at its unique combination of ancient Buddhist tradition with a nomadic horse-based culture. He will revel in her natural beauties...